A recent rise in the number of reports of anti-social behaviour involving personal water craft, such as jet skis, has prompted Hampshire Constabulary’s Marine Unit to launch a special operation to tackle such crime.
Operation Wavebreaker has been initiated this summer to focus on marine-related anti-social behaviour across the county, including here on the Isle of Wight.
Police say that whilst the majority of PWC users are safe and law-abiding, there are some that are not. Yesterday, upwards of 40 PWCs were seen operating in Langstone Harbour near Hayling Island with many instances of speeding and dangerous riding observed by officers.
Locally, jet skis have been seen close to the shore and bathers at Ryde and Sandown in recent weeks which has prompted many complaints to HM Coastguard.
On Tuesday, Bembridge and Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Teams were called to Ryde Harbour when 3 jet skiers became stuck in the mud.
A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary has said:
“After a surge in reports of anti-social behaviour on the water in the last month, Hampshire Marine Support Unit have launched Operation Wavebreaker to address the issues and start to look for some long-term solutions.
“In addition to working with other Police Marine Units around the country to share ideas and practices, we are working closely with the local harbourmasters, maritime rescue agencies and community groups to quantify the issue and look at effective ways of modifying the current behaviours to ensure everyone can use the water in a safe, enjoyable environment.
Article continues below this advertisement “Operation Wavebreaker will address all types of anti-social behaviour on the water from small craft being used dangerously to groups of people swimming in prohibited areas causing a nuisance.
“If the lives of our marine community are being negatively affected by others acting in an anti-social or dangerous manner, we want to know and we will take positive action against it”.
Local photographer Graham Reading recently captured jet skiers at Ryde acting in a careless manner.
Anyone who spots such behaviour is asked to contact Police on 101.
snowflakes scared of jetskiers lol
They were out again today, although further offshore. Six at one point racing about.
If the police are serious the easiest thing to do would be to see them at the harbour and warn them first. They were not far from the better swimmers, kayaks and paddleboarders today and they do represent a risk, as does their wash from their jet skis.
A jet skis wash is next to nothing, you would get more if there was a 5 mph wind
Good to hear. It’s usually only a minority that spoils it for PWC users, but any deterrent to prevent an accident or fatality should be welcomed.
Jetski riders =idiots
Not all jet ski users are idiots, it’s like saying all car drivers are idiots to motorcyclists
Ignorant, Arrogant and not caring at all about other people swimming, families. It will take a serious injury or a death, before anything real gets done.
Bloody hell…. We’ve got idiots on our island roads in cars and now jet skis…. Some people have got sh*t for brains!
Saw a couple at Colwell Bay yesterday – fairly close to the shore. Admittedly they have to start somewhere but the rider of one jetski flew up and down a few times parallel to the beach about (I’m guessing) thirty or forty yards out? Pretty close anyway. I was only using the beach as part of a walk so I don’t know how long they stayed.
The police should seize these machines and make them wait three months to get them back and then only after paying a fine and completing and passing a test on safety at sea.
Anything else we be jeered at.
Thankyou for your wisdom. I believe such offenders should be treated in a similar way to motorists that commit an offence.. easier said than done…
As it stands you do not need to register or insure these fast water craft all you need is money and a means to transport them ,I’ve been out fishing around Barton and seen them going at full tilt off kings quay having a great time harming no one also between players and fishbourne harming no one ,it’s not public access by land,its the idiots with a woo woo look at me off public beaches that will cause the government to make laws like tests insurance which will ruin the water sports for the vast majority who use it properly
Agreed.
All this week there have been jet skis racing dangerously round Ventnor Bay. One day a young autistic boy in his canoe was harassed by them, and yesterday they were weaving round a small boat .They came onto the shore weaving in between swimmers . Who are these mindless idiots just showing off . We have had dolphins in the Bay and these creatures could be killed or injured by these morons .
In it strange folks, every year ,there might be the odd incident of someone getting over excited while enjoying themselves, and being told to calm it. But now , enjoying yourself, how dare you! Unless you you stay at home, wear your ( death) mask, and stay in fear, then your doing something wrong. I’m not condoning W reckless ,dangerous behaviour, but, unless you where there ,let’s not condemn them all eh!. ? Oh sorry mark forgot, bloody idiots all of them ,must be mainlanders!
Does nobody remember someone getting killed by one a few years ago,on the island,a swimmer,was it sandown bay ?